Ahoy all FReepers! Join the Fun!
FReeps Ahoy 4A fun-filled, Sun-Filled Caribbean Cruise!
May 13 - 20, 2006
Posted on 03/05/2006 8:33:11 AM PST by DoughtyOne
TO ALL REGISTERED CRUISERS WHO ARE ARRIVING THE DAY OR NIGHT BEFORE EMBARKATION
Bahama Mama is informed that the Comfort Inn where we are booked has literally gone to the dogs since we were there a couple years ago.
I did some independent investigating after I called the Inn several times this past week with questions and the personnel were rude, impatient and barely spoke English.
I discovered the housekeeping has almost gone to pot, rooms need repair, the outside grounds and parking areas look like junkyards, the parking lot is dimly lit, the breakfast room is dirty, they run out of breakfast food quickly, carpets are frequently soaked from humidity, there are reports of bugs in the rooms and beds, the Tiki bar by the pool is permanently closed, and the shuttle service has become undependable.
I discussed this problem with Wanda and she recommended the Hampton Inn as an alternative. It's a few more bucks, but probably worth it a hundred times over. Folks, I always shop price for these cruises, but the supply of low-cost lodgings so near the port and the airport is terribly limited. Almost everything I checked is very pricey, the lodgings do not include the free breakfast or do not have free shuttle service.
The Hampton Inn is very nice and clean. I know many of you have stayed at Hamptons before, so you know what I state is correct. The price is $129 for the night plus tax. If you're an AARP senior, the price is $116 plus tax.
There is a free hot breakfast, dependable shuttle service between the cruise triangle (i.e. airport, Inn and dock). If you ask, they'll even drive you for free to a restaurant anywhere within five miles for dinner or take you to a sightseeing place and pick you up later if you want.
There are restaurants and fast food places right across the street. I understand there's a good German restaurant, the Heidelberg, close by. Jah! Gut!
If you want to change lodgings as I definitely am going to do, it will be painless to do. Just reach for the phone, call Wanda and tell her to switch you. Her number is 1-800-266-1167 (PST). That's all you have to do.
I want to emphasize that you don't have to switch from the Comfort Inn if you don't want to. It's soley up to you.
For those who planned on leaving their cars at the Comfort Inn for the length of the cruise, be advised that the Hampton Inn parking lot is more secure and less expensive. The cost is $15 total for up to 15 days. This is a great savings.
If you like, I can provide the link to the Cruise Critics Motel/Hotel Reviews for a rundown on the deterioration of the Comfort Inn, with a couple pictures posted as well! Freepmail with your email addy if you need this evidence or you can take my word for it.
Please phone Wanda IMMEDIATELY because all the motels/hotels near the port get filled up by cruisers in an endless cycle. You'll have to grab a room while the grabbing is good.
Freepers, I'm so sorry about this glitch, but I'm glad I found out about the situation early enough that we can land on our feet at a nicer place.
As soon as I get them, I'll post the driving instructions to the Hampton Inn. I'll be driving east across the state and I know one or two others may be doing the same.
If you have any questions on this, post them here or freepmail me at "MinuteGal".
Bahama Mama
Bahama Mama
I think it's the same chain as the Comfort Inn.
If I remember right it's next door to the Comfort Inn.
The Hampton Inn on Stirling was so expensive as to be out of sight.
The Hampton Inn that we're booking into is very nice and is rated highly by the cruise hotel/motel critics.
Bahama Mama
Bring a drawstring tall garbage bag or two for laundry. There'll be one in your cabin, but if you need a bigger one than they have, or you need more, bring your own.
You can rinse some small things out in your bathroom basin.....like underclothes and socks. There's a short clothes line you pull out in the bathroom. Drying takes longer because of the humidity at sea.
It's surprising how clean your clothes stay on these near-spotless ships. Plus there's little or no air pollution in the Caribbean. Many people opt to rinse some things out and just fold other laundry flatly in a bag or two to bring them home rather than sit around in the laundromat waiting for a machine to open up.
Dry cleaning and pressing service is also available for a fee. About the only pricey luxury on a cruise I avail myself of is "express ironing". No matter how carefully I pack, most of my clothes are dreadfully wrinkled when I open the suitcases.
As soon as I arrive in my cabin, I fill out the form for ironing service, give the most egregiously wrinkled garments to my room steward, give him a couple bucks tip and ask him to take my duds to the pressers right away. I check "express service" on the form which means I'll get the ironing back that same late afternoon or early evening or whenever. I don't know exactly how fast they are on this ship, but they're usually really speedy. You'll return to your cabin and find your covered, neatly-pressed garments hanging beautifully in your closet.
Right off the bat, on the second night at sea (Sunday, Mothers Day)is the first formal night....so I know I'll have something that definitely will need ironing.
The second formal night is Thursday. Formal nights are always on sea days so you have lots of leisurely time to spiffy up and do your fingernails.
As also posted on the first thread, on formal nights gents can wear sports coats, shirts, Rush Limbaugh ties, nice slacks and casual shoes. No pain, guys.
Bahama Mama
Oh, I'm sick o' wasting leather on gritty paving stones
And blasted winter weather wakes the fever in my bones
I'll walk barefoot with our freepers
On this dandy, sandy strand
This neater, sweeter beach front on greener, cleaner land
Ship me to this par-a-dise
I'll put my shades upon my eyes
While lookin' lazy down the shore where no whiny lib'ral cries
On the beach at Princess Cay-ay
Where the flyin' freepers play-ay
With ourselves beneath umbrellas on a shiny, briny day
Where the sun comes up like thunder
Out of Nassau 'crost the bay
Bahama Mama
If you've changed your booking, here's the instructions for those driving to the Hampton Inn on Friday. Please remember there are TWO Hampton Inns in Ft. Lauderdale. Those of us who have switched will be going to the one called Hampton Inn Airport North.
Do NOT go to the one on Stirling Rd.
The following driving instructions are for folks coming from the west on the I-75 turnpike, also known as Alligator Alley.
Approaching Ft. Lauderdale, watch for I-595 (Exit 19).
Merge off I-75 onto I-595 East via Exit 19 toward Ft. Lauderdale. Go about 10 miles. Watch for State Rd. 84 East (Exit 9).
Merge onto State Rd. 84 East via Exit 9.
You will go 0.1 miles curving slightly left. Watch for SW 12th St.
Turn left onto SW 12th Ave. The Hampton Inn is on the left.
If you are coming from another direction, go to www.mapquest.com. Plug in the address you're coming from and the address you're going to which is (Hampton Inn) 2301 SW 12th Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
The Inn's phone number is (954) 524-1451.
Please make a note of these instructions and tuck them into your wallet before leaving home.....or into your glove compartment now.
Bahama Mama
After landing at the airport, look for the Hampton Inn courtesy phone in or near the baggage area. Phone the Inn and ask for a shuttle to pick you up. Be sure to tell them you are going to the AIRPORT NORTH Hampton Inn on 12th Ave., not their other Inn.
The shuttle will pick you up and take you to the Inn. I'm told the shuttle van has bright pink flamingos on the sides to help you identify it.
The driver will stow your luggage into the van and will appreciate a tip, so have some singles at the ready.
When we're at the Inn, we can discuss with the front desk the Inns and outs of further shuttle service, i.e., disembarkation day.
The shuttle will pick up disembarking freepers and take them to the airport. It will also return those of us who drove to Ft. Lauderdale back to the Inn to pick up our cars.
Since these free shuttle vans depend on availability of the vans at any given time, we'll have to nail down the drill at the front desk when we're there so no one misses their flights home.
I've heard only good things about the Inn's shuttle service. The Inn and the drivers bend over backwards to see that everything goes smoothly for their shuttle-bug guests.
Bahama Mama
LAST CALL! WRITE YOURSELF A MEMORANDAH TO CALL WANDAH MONDAY AT TOLL-FREE 1-800-266-1167
Ah-ah-ah-choo!
Bahamah Mamah
Here's a tip if you want to partake of a glass of wine or two in your cabin or on your balcony and you don't want to weigh your luggage down with wine bottles. Order a bottle of wine at the dinner table. If you don't finish it take it back to your cabin to enjoy later. Or you can tell the waiter to stash it for you in the cooler and bring it out for consumption the next night.
If your beds and pillows aren't just quite right for you, ask your room steward for feather pillows. You can also ask him to bring egg shell foam pads that he'll insert under your bottom sheet. But try your beds first, they're generally quite comfortable. You can also ask him to leave extra towels for you every day if you don't have enough. Just tell him bath or hand towels or both and he'll take care of you.
Be prepared for culture shock in the bath. The shower space is small, but adequate. Remember, don't sweat the small things. There's more than enough storage space for your toiletries and other items. I don't bring shampoo and conditioner on a one week cruise. It saves space and weight in my luggage. These items are stocked in your bathroom and are fine quality. Though most people naturally prefer their own shampoos and conditioner, I can live with the ship's toiletries for 7 days.
Many seasoned cruisers buy a $25 International Phone Card to give to their room steward the first day. The ship's staff and crew are not paid all that much. They are away from their countries, parents, wives and families for up to nine months. They call home when we pull into a port. Watch the crew head for the pay phones at the dock. A "first-day tip" of a phone card, or some cash is much appreciated and the appreciation will be reflected in many ways during the voyage. It should be emphasized that this right-off-the-bat tipping is not necessary, required or solicited.
Bahama Mama
Here's some of the items you can choose for breakfast:
Six to eight different brands of cereal, granola, papaya, banana, smoked salmon, white fish, bagels, croissants, at least a dozen varieties of breads/rolls/muffins, bacon, ham, potatoes, scrambled eggs, fried eggs, Eggs Benedict, omelets made to order, yogurt, French toast, etc., etc.
You can eat inside the pleasant Court or you can take your tray outside to a table by the pool....or by the rail and watch the sea roll by.
There's also a lunch buffet in the Horizon. There's a good variety of meats, fish, chicken, cold cuts, salad bar, fresh fruits, every imaginable veggie, fresh-baked breads/rolls, and desserts.
On one night during the voyage the ship will have a very special fantastic seafood buffet in the Horizon Court. Many folks can't resist going there for an appetizer plate of lobster, king crab, shrimp, or sushi before they head to the main dining room for dinner. Remember, we have second seating for dinner (8:30) so you won't spoil your appetite.
Some people prefer a room service breakfast in their cabin or on their balcony especially if they're late starters in the morning (like me). You have a limited menu, but it's not bad. You can stay in your pj's and enjoy your breakfast while watching TV or you can read the ship's morning newspaper along with coffee on the balcony.
Bahama Mama
Thanks,
Bahama Mama
You have already received your pre-cruise packet. In it are two "strips" of paper which are forms titled "Welcome to the Islands of the Bahamas".
Each person must fill out this form. If you have any questions on what to fill out, freepmail me at "MinuteGal".
After you have filled out the form and signed it, keep it and put it in with your ticket (when you receive it), your birth certificate with raised seal, and your driver's license. Each of you must fill out this form, even if you're a married couple.
Okay. This form is out of the way. Now each of you must fill out the form(s) in your packet titled "Passenger Immigration Form" if you haven't already. This form must be filled out and put in the mail IMMEDIATELY or at least in a day or two because it must be received in advance of 30 days before sailing.
Put this completed and signed form(s) in the mailing envelope that should be in your packet and pop it in the mail.
You'll receive your tickets about a week to 10 days before May 13 so don't get antsy. They SHALL arrive. Here you'll be able to see not only what your cabin number is, but what deck you're located on.
The immigration form you fill out to mail is actually a good feature of the Princess Line cruises. With most other lines, you present this form when checking in. The check-in person has to exam it. This really stalls the boarding queues but good. Since Princess gets the forms ahead of time, it makes for a smoother, quicker boarding procedure on sailing day.
Again, any questions on forms, email me....or post the question on this cruise thread. That way other cruisers can see my answer if they might have the same question.
Bahama Mama
Our little flock of early birds have all been re-roosted to the Hampton Inn. Very smooth transition. Life is good.
Bahama Mama just received delivery of our cruise keepsake name tags. You're going to LOVE your own personalized tag as a great memento of our voyage. They are sharp!
You freepers at the Hampton Inn will receive yours on Friday night and the rest of you will get them at the after-boarding buffet (if I can find you!)
Our own freepstuff guy, Gene McDonald (Seeking the Truth) made the tags, and they're just so tropically kewl!
Do you have your FR baseball-type cap yet for the trip? Check out Gene's 0Cents.com link on the FR home page. You'll need a cap of this type because it's so windy on deck. If I had a nickel for every too-loose hat that flew overboard on each cruise, I'd be sailing along the French Riviera right now. I'm bringing my snappy FR hat and I'll wear it proudly (especially on bad hair days).
Thanks to our angelic donors, we're going to have a table prize every single night of the week. They are just great, folks. We have generous gift certificates for Red Lobster, Home Depot and Outback Steakhouse.
We have a gift box full of items for a romantic Italian dinner, a gift box for an outdoor patio dinner, a unique and nostalgic hot-dog-stand grill for a focal point at your outdoor barbeques, and a luxury gift box of exotic teas right from the plantations of the Far East and Eurasia, a unique tea maker along with a mouthwatering selection of totally-gourmet goodies to munch on with your tea.
We have a number of little fun patriotic prizes to draw for at the beach party at Princess Cay in the Bahamas.
Then there's the Mystery Welcome Aboard prize everyone will receive at dinner the first night. This is the gift mentioned before that is worth under 10 cents, is something you'll use every day and night of the cruise, and is smaller than a breadbox.
Historically on FReeps Ahoy cruises we always have a gag gift at our cocktail party. Well, this trip we have TWO of 'em. Just wait and see.....these goofy items are HILLARYOUS. You can entertain your guests, friends and family FOREVER with 'em.
It's hard to beat the Klinton voodoo doll (with pins) we had on one of our past cruises, but the prizes this time will really make you roll on the floor laughing out loud (ROFLOL, LOL).
Good luck to you all. Hope your name is pulled out of our FReebooter Booty Bag!
Bahama Mama
I would recommend between 10 and 10:30 AM, earlier if you don't mind standing in line longer.
They appear to open the doors around 11:15, a little earlier or later depending on various factors.....the cabins all cleaned, for instance.
Don't be dismayed at the length of the line outside when you arrive. I understand from all sources that Princess is the best at processing arriving passengers and getting them to their cabins very quickly.
Once you get inside the terminal, you'll zip through registration and security and you'll be on your way to your little bit of heaven high above the sea. Everyone should have his/her tickets and ID in hand to facilitate your checking-in and helping to make it speedier for other passengers waiting behind you.
It's a LONG walk from registration to your cabin. Remember, this ship is immense and the weather will be hot when you stand in line. You'll also be toting carry-ons. If a health condition poses a walking problem for you, there are wheel chairs right where you check in. Just ask for one. There may be a wait. A steward will then wheel you to your cabin and then take the chair back to the terminal area. Have a tip ready. If you have trouble walking any longer-than-usual distances, I urge you to take a wheel chair.
Have a water bottle with you. Hampton Inn folks, there's a store across the street from the Inn where you can purchase water bottles Friday rather than lug them along on your flight.
Remember, do NOT take any photos or videos in the embarkation area. Security rules.
REMINDER: Have you mailed your filled-in U.S. Immigration form in yet? This must be done NOW. The form is in your pre-cruise packet along with the necessary mailing envelope.
Bahama Mama
$12.50 for a pair of Jockey shorts? I believe I'll pass on that.
Leni
Travel Smith seems to be part of the travel insurance package I bought through the travel agency. They sent me a catalogue with some pretty pricey merchandice.
I made a mistake purchasing the insurance because it duplicates a lot of coverage that I already have. All I wanted was an insurance policy that would refund my full purchase price in the event that I couldn't go on the trip. I got life insurance, health insurance, accident insurance from the time I leave the house until I get back. Great stuff but like I said, I already had it all except the refund part and my insurance agent here at home tells me I could have gotten that from her much cheaper than the $100 apiece that I paid for my wife and me.
We live and learn don't we?
Each of you also needs a photo drivers license.
If you don't have an original birth certificate or a copy with original certification, you should phone your county clerk right away to see how you can obtain one (and for your wife if needed).
Further details on ID are on Thread One, post # 241. The link to Thread One is at the top of this thread.
Passports are not needed this cruise. They will be needed after December 31, 2006 for anyone travelling to the Caribbean and Canada by any type of transportation.
If you have further questions, I'll be happy to answer.
Bahama Mama
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